The Carbon County court has scheduled a hearing on the vacancy on the Lehighton Area School Board.

President Judge Roger N. Nanovic II set 9 a.m. March 4 for a hearing on four petitions filed by residents of the district who seek appointment to an open seat on the board.Four people have filed petitions requesting appointment to the board by the court: Larry Stern, David Krause, Duane R. Eidem and Stacey Lynn Duerst.A vacancy occurred when board member William Hill passed away on Jan. 1.The board accepted applications for the vacancy and received 10.All were interviewed but the board deadlocked 4-4 on appointing anyone to the position.When the board interviewed prospective candidates, they were asked to state whether they favored renovating the four existing elementary schools built in the 1960s or building one elementary center for all K-5 students.Controversy has centered on the proposed building project, which is expected to cost to $32.5 million.Stern, Krause and Eidem have previously served on the board. Duerst is president of the Franklin Elementary PTO.The board had 30 days to fill the post. The time ran out on Sunday. On Monday morning the four filed petitions in the county court seeking the appointment.